Ways That A Piano May Become Out Of Tune During Moving
Acclimation. When a piano is moved, it needs time to acclimate to its new surroundings. Getting your piano tuned shortly after moving will not yield long-lasting results, as the materials of the piano may still be adapting and will then require another tuning. It is best to wait 3 to 5 days before tuning your piano, as it should be fully acclimated by then.
Humidity. Because pianos are largely made of natural materials, humidity can severely impact the sound the piano produces as well as the piano’s longevity. The humidity of your home can make a huge difference to your piano. Dry climates cause wood to shrink and can make the keys rattle and become noisy. Dryness can also impact the tuning of the piano, as the pinblock shrinks when the air is dry, causing the pins to loosen in their holes. This can lead to an out of tune piano that will continue to go out of tune repeatedly, as the pins are not large enough to hold the strings as they should. Low humidity can lead to larger problems, such as cracking in the piano. Check the humidity levels in your new home and make a plan to raise or lower the humidity levels accordingly.
If you’re moving within the same province, the moving process itself likely won’t be long enough to cause humidity issues. If you’re moving from one area of Calgary to another, the general air humidity will stay the same but the house humidity may be different. If you’re moving across provinces, for example from Alberta to BC, there will likely be humidity changes that you will have to account for. To raise the humidity within the home, try using a humidifier, having plants indoors, or letting steam into the house when you can (for example: leaving bathroom doors open after a shower, opening the dishwasher to let dishes air dry). If your new house is too humid, try to decrease humidity by using a dehumidifier, using an air conditioner, keeping the house well ventilated, and fixing any leaks.
Movement. While the piano is in transit, the movement can cause parts to slightly shift or loosen, which can cause your piano to be out of tune. Even if the piano is tightly secured, a long-distance move will end up with pieces out of place. This is easily fixable in the majority of cases and your piano tuner should be able to put everything back where it needs to be.
What Else To Expect During A Piano Move
Disassembling And Reassembling. When instruments are moved, they sometimes need to be partially disassembled and reassembled. Piano moving often requires that the legs and pedals are removed and wrapped separately; so if you see your piano movers slightly disassembling your piano, do not fear. Your piano may also be wrapped in protective cushioning pads and plastic wrap for its trip so that everything can stay in place better.
Have Your Piano Moved By The Experts At Precision Movers
Whether you need to move your piano from one area in Calgary to another, or if you need to move it across the Western provinces, Precision Movers can help. Our experienced piano movers have the skills and equipment to properly handle this heavy and delicate instrument. With over 28 years of experience, Precision Movers have successfully moved over 31,000 pianos, baby grand pianos, and organs. Our moving services are highly efficient and our wonderful workers are friendly, knowledgeable, and committed to helping you through every step of your move. To get a free, no obligation quote, either call 1-403-540-4393 or fill out the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: Can I move my piano in the back of my truck or moving van?
A: Pianos are beautiful but delicate instruments that can be ruined by inadvertent movement in the cargo area of a moving vehicle. Do not attempt to move the piano with your own vehicle; call a professional moving service to do the work on your behalf. They can proof the cargo area storing the piano, securing it for transit.
Q: Do I need to worry about these factors if I will be moving my piano into storage?
A: If your piano will be in storage then you won’t have to worry about tuning it, but you will need to make sure your storage is climate controlled. While some humidity changes can affect your piano’s tuning, extreme temperatures or humidity changes can damage or crack the instrument, so check with your storage company if they are equipped for piano storage. The team at Precision Movers is happy to provide piano moving services into a new home, or a storage unit.
Q: What types of pianos can I have moved?
A: Whether you have an upright, a baby grand, a grand, an organ, or another type, Precision Movers offer moving services for all types of pianos.
